Geriatric Medicine

Various changes take place in the human body as a person ages: an older person reacts in different ways to disease, trauma, surgery, drug therapy, and so forth, than a younger one. This happens due to the change in proportion of body lipids and water, altered cellular physiology, and immune mechanisms, which is why older people tend to develop degenerative conditions and pathological disorders quickly—however, the resultant use of multiple medications may cause adverse drug reactions, and latrogenic disorders, which are those caused by medication itself, may occur.

Geriatric medicine is a branch of medicine that is committed to the idea of preventive medicine for the elderly. It deals with the clinical, psychological, and social aspects of patients over 60 years of age, and assures that an elderly person receive accurate diagnosis, treatment, and support—most importantly, in the right time—for a comprehensive assessment and management of the wellbeing of the old. This specialty consists of a detailed list of problems affecting the patient via a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA).

At Grande International Hospital, as part of its geriatric medicine program, a Senior Citizen Healthcare and Wellness Plan has been introduced, which includes regular home visits by a doctor and Care Coordinator (CC). Such a plan may especially be beneficial for the elderly whose children live abroad. The package includes:

Initial medical consultation by a doctor, dietician, and neurologist

Complete initial lab work

Quarterly medical review at GIH, and monthly home visits by a doctor and a CC

Regular health updates for family members via email

Comprehensive annual medical checkup at GIH

Perks such as no wait time for checkups, nutritious meals, and free transport during quarterly review